FIBA Women's World Cup Coach Kara Lawson will lead USA Basketball into Berlin this weekend as the 2026 FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off September 4th. But she's far from the only familiar face on the sidelines.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2026 Coaching Staffs Tap WNBA Talent
FIBA confirmed the full slate of FIBA Women's World Cup coaches across all 16 qualifying nations, and the list reads like a who's who of top WNBA leaders.
Lawson guided Duke to back-to-back ACC titles and an Elite Eight appearance last season. She earned the top job after serving as an assistant during Team USA's gold-medal run at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her staff includes Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, the Golden State Valkyries' Natalie Nakase, and the Phoenix Mercury's Nate Tibbetts.
However, the US bench isn't the only one stacked with proven winners.
Sandy Brondello, Mike Thibault Among International Lineup
Australia nabbed Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello, who led the Opals to bronze at the 2024 Olympics. Meanwhile, Belgium turned to three-time WNBA Coach of the Year Mike Thibault. Japan also tapped the league, hiring former Mercury championship coach Corey Gaines.
With that much combined experience on the sidelines, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin promises to deliver one of the deepest coaching fields the international tournament has ever seen.
